FAAB Factor - AL: Rasmus Returns

Kyle McKeown is the Managing Editor of NBA Content for RotoWire.com. He hosts the Fantasy Basketball Podcast and writes about fantasy basketball. Kyle used to run an after school program and approaches his work as an editor with teaching in mind. He genuinely cares about helping others win their fantasy basketball leagues, which seems really dorky when it's written in the third person.
kyle@rotowire.com

Tommy Hunter, SP, BAL - Hunter is owned in only three percent of Yahoo! leagues, yet he's pitched six innings or more in his last eight straight starts. Though he hasn't been overly sensational, his ability to work deep into games has put him in position to collect wins. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Dylan Axelrod, SP/RP, CHW - Axelrod made his first career start Wednesday against the Tigers. He went six innings deep, striking out eight while walking two and giving up six hits. Though he isn't an overpowering pitcher, Axelrod has proven himself effective at every level he's pitched at. It's presumed he'll be holding down Jake Peavy's rotation spot for the rest of the season. Axelrod quietly moved into the starting rotation without much fanfare this week, so he should be available and capable of contributing even in some mixed leagues. Mixed: $5; AL: $9.

RELIEF PITCHERS

Brad Mills, RP/SP, TOR - Mills was recalled by the Jays on Wednesday, but he's unlikely to see enough action to be of use in virtually any fantasy league. He did well at Triple-A Las Vegas this season, but he struggled during his limited time in the majors. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Junichi Tazawa, RP/SP, BOS - Tazawa was called up Tuesday. He underwent Tommy John surgery last year, keeping him sidelined and slowly working his way to the majors this season. The Red Sox will get him some action as a reliever down the stretch, and there's a chance he could end up a part of the team's rotation next season. If you're looking for cheap speculative rotation players to keep for next season, Tazawa would be an interesting arm to consider stashing in keeper formats. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Matt Moore, RP/SP, TB - Moore was called up by the Rays last Sunday. He's working out of the pen in a long relief role. Without regular starts and the innings that come with that responsibility, Moore's value will be significantly limited this season. He is without a doubt the best pitching prospect in the game right now, but Moore will not be of use in most leagues until he gets a spot in the Rays' rotation next season. Grab him if you're in a deep keeper league; otherwise, just enjoy the preview we're getting right now. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Alex Torres, RP/SP, TB - Torres is another of the Rays' promising young arms. He's going to work out of the bullpen the rest of the way, but there's a chance he could be a part of the team's rotation next season. Torres' ability to get strikeouts (156 K in 146.1 innings at Triple-A this season) have helped him keep his ERA (3.08) low, but his WHIP (1.49) suggests that he may not be ready to contribute in the majors. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Francisco Liriano, SP/RP, MIN - Liriano (shoulder) returned from the DL Friday, but he's only expected to work out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Injury Update.

CATCHERS

Austin Romine, C, NYY - Romine was called up by the Yankees last Sunday and made his debut Monday. He'll be the backup catcher for the Yankees as long as Francisco Cervelli (concussion) is out, and he could get extra work down the stretch if the team decides to rest Russell Martin more in preparation for the playoffs. Unfortunately, most of his value comes from his defensive abilities. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Landon Powell, C, OAK - Powell was recalled last Saturday. He'll get an occasional start behind the plate, but it's unlikely he plays enough to be use in many leagues. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

CORNER INFIELDERS

Lars Anderson, 1B, BOS - A once promising power prospect, Anderson's value has significantly declined the last two seasons. His production has dropped, and Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz are blocking his path to the majors. At only 23 years old, Anderson could improve his production, but he's still blocked as long as he's playing in the Red Sox's system. He was called up Tuesday, but he's only seen action as a pinch-hitter.Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Jose Iglesias, SS, BOS - Iglesias was recalled Tuesday. He's the projected shortstop-of-the-future for the Red Sox, and it's believed he can hold his own defensively already, but his terrible .235/.285/.269 slash line suggests his bat may be a substantial work in progress. Luckily, he's only 21 years old and has a lot of time to improve his production at the dish. Realistically, the Red Sox will still be rolling out someone else as their starting shortstop next season. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Russ Canzler, 1B, TB - Canzler is quickly losing any prospect status he may have had, as he will be 26 years old next season; however, his relative youth and power potential make him standout when compared to the false promise of Casey Kotchman being a worthwhile option for the Rays over the long term. How well Canzler performs this season could go a long way to earning him a spot on the team's roster out of spring training next season. Just don't expect him to have value this season as long as the Rays have even a glimmer of a hope to reach the playoffs. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS

Gil Velazquez, SS, LAA - Velazquez had a nice season at Triple-A, but the 31-year-old infielder has never been a consistent contributor with his bat. The Angels signed him to a minor league contract this past offseason, and his success earned him a September call. Just don't go looking for to be anything more than injury insurance for the Angels. Erick Aybar is entrenched as the team's shortstop. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Alex Amarista, 2B, LAA - Amarista could become a part of the Angels' plans for the future of their infield within the next couple seasons. He doesn't hit for power, and he hasn't been overly successful stealing bases. The Angels called him up to give him another taste of the majors, but it's unlikely he'll see much action. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

OUTFIELDERS/UTILITY

Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX - Cruz returned to action Saturday. The plan is for him to DH again Sunday and start working in the outfield again Tuesday. Make sure he's in your lineups for the week ahead. Injury Update.

Joey Gathright, OF, BOS - Gathright was called up Monday. He could post a few steals over the last few weeks, but the Red Sox only plan on using him as a pinch-runner. Therefore, he won't have value in anything but the most absurdly deep league setups. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR - Rasmus was activated from the DL Friday. If he's truly over the shoulder issues that hampered his production before going on the DL, Rasmus could be a great add in any mixed leagues where he was dropped. Make sure he's activated in any leagues you own him in. Mixed: $MAX; AL: $MAX.

Jai Miller, OF, OAK - Miller had a great season at Triple-A Sacramento, posting a .368 average with 32 home runs, 88 RBI, and 15 steals though 410 at-bats. At 26 years old, it's hard to get too excited. If he were playing in any organization other than Oakland's, Miller might actually get a shot to play regularly. Unfortunately, the A's will continue wasting at-bats on Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, and other slap-hitting mediocre players. If Miller ever gets traded to a real major league team, there's a chance he could work his way into a chance to show if he can produce in the majors. If nothing else, put him on your radar as a possible late bloomer. Mixed: $0; AL: $0.

Travis Hafner, DH, CLE - Hafner (foot) was activated from the DL last Sunday. He's getting most of the starts at DH for the Indians, even though the team traded for Jim Thome. AL-only league players will want to see if he was dropped and is still available. Mixed: $0; AL: $4.

Carlos Quentin, OF, CHW - The White Sox activated Quentin from the DL Monday, but his shoulder must still be bothering him. He hasn't started a single game since be activated, and he was only used once over the last week. Injury Update.